Abstract
The multiple auditory steady-state response (multiple-ASSR) technique, where thresholds for up to 8 frequencies (4 in each ear) are obtained simultaneously, is currently of great interest for audiometric assessment of infants. Although threshold estimates using the multiple-ASSR appear to be reasonably accurate, it is not currently known whether it is more efficient to use multiple stimuli or single stimuli when testing individuals with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The current study investigated the effect of single versus multiple simultaneous stimuli on the 80- and 40-Hz ASSRs in adults with normal hearing or SNHL. Results showed significant interactions (i.e., decreased amplitudes) for both ASSRs going from single to multiple stimuli in one ear. Going from multiple one ear to multiple two ears did not further reduce the amplitude of the 80-Hz ASSR. At the 40-Hz rate, however, there was a further amplitude decrease going from one-ear multiple to two-ear multiple stimuli. Importantly, these interactions did not differ between the normal-hearing and SNHL groups. Although supportive of the multiple-ASSR technique, there are likely situations where it is more efficient to use single stimuli. Future studies are required to assess these interactions in infants with varying degrees and configurations of hearing loss.
Highlights
Auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) have received much recent attention by clinicians and researchers for reviews, see [1, 2]
Most recent attention has focussed on the 80-Hz ASSR, which will likely be recommended for routine clinical assessment of auditory threshold in young infants in the near future, possibly in place of the tone-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR), which is the current goldstandard technique [4,5,6]
40-Hz ASSR amplitudes are much larger than 80 Hz amplitudes for both subjects
Summary
Auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) have received much recent attention by clinicians and researchers for reviews, see [1, 2]. Similar to tone-ABR recordings, the ASSR may be recorded to single-frequency stimuli presented to one ear at a time. This is the “single-stimulus” ASSR method, for which many clinical data have been published, for reviews, see [5, 12, 13]. Because EEG noise decreases predictably by the square root of the number of sweeps averaged, we can use this to determine whether the increased number of sweeps required to detect a smaller multiple-ASSR amplitude is offset by the gain in information [16]. K times the information (e.g., the number of frequencies) in a given sweep is obtained compared to the single-stimulus technique, provided √we do not need to average more sweeps than a factor of
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
